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Graeme Lempriere

CEO, PresidentDirector of Clean Seed

Graeme Lempriere is an accomplished corporate and financial entrepreneur with years of proven senior management experience in both the public and private sector. He is the founder and CEO of Marvelle Corporate Development Group, a private business development and venture management company that invests capital and management expertise into innovative early and mid-stage companies. Prior to founding Marvelle, Graeme was responsible for leading major business initiatives that included company restructuring, marketing, primary financings, and market development for both public and private mid-tier companies.

In 2006, Marvelle founded Clean Seed (formerly Vesco) Agricultural Technologies Inc. and strategically secured the worldwide exclusive rights to a unique patented No-Till seeding technology, that was originally formulated with his family in 2001. Graeme then organized a dedicated team of like-minded professionals and launched Clean Seed Capital Group on the Toronto Venture Exchange. Under Graeme’s leadership, Clean Seed is now focused on a path that will have an meaningful effect on the current agricultural system.

Since the CSX.V Initial Public Offering, Clean Seed has dramatically ramped up development of its intellectual property portfolio, and is now uniquely recognized as a progressive pioneer of agricultural technologies. For two consecutive years, Clean Seed was ranked as a top performer on the TSX Venture 50. Further tributes include being a recipient of multiple business awards, including Clean Seed’s winning of the prestigious People’s Choice Award at the Farm Progress Show, Canadas largest agricultural expo.

Colin Rush

Chief Operating OfficerDirector of Clean Seed

Colin Rush is a senior operations leader with nearly 20 years’ experience in the North American agricultural equipment industry.

Colin has held senior positions with John Deere, Case IH and JCB Canada. In 2010 Colin assumed the role of Senior Director of Specialty Business, North America for Case IH. Case IH is one of the world’s largest agricultural equipment manufacturers with significant planting and seeding equipment market share in all major marketplaces. During his tenure Colin significantly increased North American sales and market share for the Company’s nearly $1B division of planting, seeding, tillage, and application products. Subsequent to Case IH, Colin became the head of Canadian operations for JCB, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of construction and agricultural equipment. During his time leading JCB Canada, Colin doubled the number of agricultural dealers to deliver significant sales growth while increasing sales margin.

Colin holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanized Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan and a Master of Business Administration in Agricultural Economics from the University of Guelph.

Noel Lempriere

VP, MarketingClean Seed

Noel Lempriere is a senior marketing and team management professional with over 20 years of experience in a variety of sectors that include Agricultural Technologies, Lean Manufacturing & Distribution, Food & Wine and Major Sporting & Entertainment Events.

Prior to the creation of Clean Seed, Noel applied his entrepreneurial focus as senior partner/management in the sustainable source manufacturing sector, overseeing branding, product marketing and distribution to sales networks and commercial development projects across Western Canada and the United States.

Most notably, Noel played an advisory role to the board, addressed early marketing challenges and worked with local city, municipal and international officials to successfully brand and oversee the launch of the 2010 World Masters Championships, an international sporting event gathering athletes and spectators from around the globe.

Noel has also worked directly with the CEO on a variety of start-up and business development projects over the past 18 years along with all tiers of Clean Seeds technology since their inception.

Steven Brassard

CA, Chief Financial OfficerClean Seed

Steven Brassard is a Chartered Accountant with a Master Degree in Professional Accounting. Steven provides accounting and financial consulting services to public and private enterprises, enhancing their internal controls, financial systems, corporate governance practices and, where applicable, regulatory compliance.

Steven has provided International Financial Reporting Standards consulting services to a wide range of public companies on the major Canadian stock exchanges. Steven has a diverse professional understanding of the green energy, junior mining, medical hardware, hospitality and environmental resource sectors.

Colin Rosengren

VP, Product DevelopmentDirector of Clean Seed

Colin Rosengren is a Canadian third generation large scale commercial farmer specializing in zero-tillage and intercropping. Using zero-tillage, crop nutrition plans and an integrated pest management approach, Colin farms in the most environmentally friendly and sustainable way possible, fixing carbon, improving soil productivity, and increasing biodiversity and biological activity in the soils.

Colin is also one of the founding members of The Three Farmers, a group of Saskatchewan farmers passionate about growing natural and healthy foods. The Three Farmer’s produce a product called Camelina Oil; it is an ancient grain that has retained its natural flavor and nutritional properties. The nutty oil that is extracted from the seed is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and has an abundance of Vitamin E.

Tony Edwards

P.Eng, Patent CounselDirector of Clean Seed

Tony Edwards, P. Eng, LLB, is a Partner at Field Law and serves as the chair of Field Law’s Intellectual Property and Technology Group. As both a Professional Engineer and Lawyer, he has an impressive mix of technical training and hands-on experience from his career working with all sized inventors, ranging from individual inventors to fortune 500 companies. Tony is a registered Canadian and U.S. patent and trademark agent with nearly 30 years of experience in successfully guiding technology businesses, tech startups and individual inventors through the complex process of identifying, registering, protecting and monetizing their IP assets around the world. This work includes patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, trade secrets and enforcing those IP rights through litigation and negotiation.

Tony views himself as an engineer first and lawyer second. He obtained a degree in Aeronautic and Astronautic Engineering at the University of Washington and then served for more than four years in the Air Force focused on developing and testing experimental aircraft systems. His science and engineering background gives him a unique technical and practical appreciation of the patent and other IP needs, whether it’s related to mechanical, electrical, fluid applications, robotics or software. In his practice, Tony identifies areas in which his clients are vulnerable to competition or infringement, develops strategies to protect their IP portfolios worldwide, and negotiates licensing arrangements to generate revenue throughout the lifecycle of a particular IP asset or portfolio.

Tony has been the patent attorney for the SMART Seeder™ technology and the original Clean Seed patent portfolio since inception.

He holds a Bachelor of Laws of the University of British Columbia and has been admitted to practice in both British Columbia and Alberta.

Gary Anderson

Senior AdvisorIndependent Director of Clean Seed

Gary Anderson co-founded AGI in 1996 and served as its CEO from 2010 to January 2016. From its inception on the Alberta Stock Exchange to its present form as a TSX listed company with an enterprise value of $1.1 billion, Mr. Anderson was a driving force behind AGI’s strategic direction, the acquisition and integration of fifteen business units, the development of AGI’s people and its ongoing operational performance and improvements. AGI has production facilities across Canada, Midwest United States, United Kingdom, Italy and Brazil. The company’s brands are amongst the most recognized in global agriculture in both the commercial and farm sectors.

Mr. Anderson continues to serve AGI as a member of its board of directors.

Steve Larocque

Agricultural & Agronomic AdvisorIndependent Director of Clean Seed

Steve Larocque is an independent crop advisor based out of Three Hills, Alberta. As owner of Beyond Agronomy, he manages over 55,000 acres of cropland and publishes Beyond Agronomy News, a weekly crop production and grain market newsletter with his wife Vanessa. He is also a first generation grain farmer who farms north of Drumheller and one of the first to implement a full controlled traffice farming and inter-row seeding system in Western Canada. He is also managing director of Preferred Carbon Land Management.

Steve has been working with producers for over ten years. He is a Certified Crop Advisor, has a diploma in Crop Advisory from Olds College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Lethbridge. Steve is a 2007 Canadian Nuffield Scholar and had the opportunity to travel to Brazil (twice), Kenya, Australia (four times), New Zealand (twice), Mexico, United States, Canada and the United Kingdom to study precision agriculture and controlled traffic farming.

Rob Ruff

Research & DevelopmentClean Seed

Rob Ruff is a Mechanical Engineering Technologist as well as a Heavy Duty Mechanic. He has 25 years experience in a variety of industries and roles.

Rob has worked in R&D and field service for a commercial fish pump manufacturer, a lab technician for a fuel cell manufacturer, a plant manager for a PCB soil remediation plant and a technician for a fuel cell integrator. He has done field service work in Alaska, the continental USA, Chile and Peru.

Chuck Schembri

Lead Electronics OfficerClean Seed

Chuck Schembri holds a Diploma in Electronics Technology from BCIT. He joined Clean Seed Capital in November 2011 as head of electronics development. Prior to joining clean seed he worked for Plug Power as an Electronics hardware Designer specializing in the design, test and manufacture, of embedded electronic control systems for fuel cell powered industrial machinery. Chuck also worked for Ballard Power Systems as a Systems Integration Specialist; he was responsible for assembling, commissioning, on-site demonstration, field-support and documentation of portable fuel cell demonstration units. Chuck prototyped and integrated the P2000 fuel cell control module for Ford’s first fuel cell powered vehicle.

In 1997 Mr. Schembri repaired and commissioned global positioning systems in the field and built G sensors, optical encoders and repaired traction control systems as the Electronics Technician for Entek Engineering. Chucks primary responsibilities with Clean Seed Agricultural Technologies are to integrate state of the art electronic capabilities into the company’s proprietary metering systems.

Ed Quon

Director of Software DevelopmentClean Seed

Ed Quon is an Electrical/Electronic Technologist with over 25 years of experience in the electronics and software industry. Ed recently joined Clean Seed capital after years of service with New Flyer Industries, the leading heavy-duty bus/transit vehicle manufacturer in North America. As a Software Technical Specialist, Ed’s focus was on applying modifications to the embedded controls software on ISE Series Gas Electric and Fuel Cell Electric Hybrid systems to increase reliability.

Ed also applied his expertise to research and development projects with several companies responsible for developing embedded software for engine management systems and data acquisition systems.
In the early stages of his career, Ed held the position of Automation Engineering Technologist for Northern Telecom Private Networks; developing software for robotic and automation systems in a high volume circuit pack assembly environment which manufactured 60,000 units per week.

Gord Wilson

Research & DevelopmentClean Seed

Gord Wilson is a technology professional with more than 20 years of experience in manufacturing and product development. He has a diverse technical background ranging from consumer products to industrial equipment, most recently in the Power Generation industry, and brings to the Clean Seed team a wide range of business experience, technical knowledge and a track record of meeting financial objectives.

Gord’s background includes extensive experience in product design and development utilizing 3D CAD tools, vendor/OEM sourcing, production management, facilities design and equipment specification, as well as providing a technical perspective to support business development. Gord is a strong advocate for the advancement of “green” technology to achieve sustainable development and address growing environmental degradation.

Dr. Andrew Riseman

Andrew Riseman, Ph.D. (Penn State University) is an Associate Professor and Academic Director of the UBC Centre for Sustainable Food Systems-UBC Farm in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia. His areas of research include understanding the role of plant genetics in the design of sustainable production systems, identifying relevant traits useful in these systems, and integrating this germplasm into an optimized production system. In addition to this agronomic research, he is also involved in various aspects of urban agriculture including assessment of business models, food safety, and community resiliency.

Andrew has authored several publications ranging in topics from species evolution, nutrient efficiency, agronomy, and education, in journals such as Plant and Soil, American Journal of Plant Sciences, International Journal of Plant Science, Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, and the Journal of the American Educational research Association. He continues to lead in the education of Applied Biology students at UBC through embracing community engagement (i.e., community based action research) and the use of technology to enhance the learning environment.

Michael Eyres

Agricultural AdvisorClean Seed

Michael Eyres is a well respected soil systems engineer with Field Systems, a strategic soil management research and advisory company based in South Australia. Michael strongly believes in the principals of the CX-6 SMART Seeder™ and will be a respected advocate of its benefits to the Australian and North/South American agricultural community.

Originally from a dryland cropping family farming operation in Western Australia, Michael has spent the last 16 years working with Australian farmers specifically in strategic soil management for improvement of plant productivity.

With a specific focus on soil disturbance mechanisms and accompanying nutrient management strategies, Michael has developed markedly the defined relationship of precision agricultural technologies to soil performance.

Mark Tommasi

Corporate CommunicationsClean Seed

Mark Tommasi, a former investment advisor, has served as a director and officer of numerous public and private companies both in the United States and Canada. Mark has more than 15 years of experience in corporate communications and marketing for both public and private companies. He has developed dynamic market awareness programs through investor relations, marketing communications and corporate development.

Kyle Takeuchi

ControllerClean Seed

Kyle Takeuchi is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in financial reporting, auditing, and accounting. Kyle’s account management services have been provided to companies spanning a variety of industries including resource and mining, construction and development, and the media.

In addition, Kyle also serves as president of the NPO – Strive Living Society – which endeavours to design and deliver community living services, tailored to individuals, families, and support networks to ensure flexible, responsive, and quality services.

Chantel Schutz

Independent DirectorClean Seed

Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant, Chantal Schutz brings over 15 years of strong financial leadership experience and an entrepreneurial spirit. Currently serving as the Interim President of NYCE Sensors, Chantal is responsible for the day-to-day operations of this Internet of Things start-up as well as working with the Board to set strategic vision, attract investor and debt financing and implement strong systems and processes within the organization to ensure its long-term success.

Chantal is also the CEO and Co-Founder of Cloud 9 Beautique, a full-service MediSpa located in Maple Ridge BC. She has developed a system and a team that has seen the company grow to a 7-figure revenue in just three years.

Previously Chantal has held CFO Roles in both Privately held and Publicly Traded Companies. As the CFO and member of the Executive Team, Chantal helped secure financing and develop and implement systems and procedures which saw the doubling of revenue and headcount while working at Back In Motion Rehab Inc. Prior to this, Chantal worked as an outsourced CFO for small and medium sized, owner managed businesses, helping owners develop and implement strategic plans and financial reorganizations. She has also been an instructor of Financial Management at BC Institute of Technology and facilitated for over 10 years in the Chartered Accountant School of Business.

Chantal articled with both KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers and earned her Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management from Royal Roads University. Chantal is passionate about ensuring that business owners and teens and young adults have financial literacy and she speaks on the topic from time to time at business events and conferences for professionals in the MediSpa industry.

Randy Minhas

Independent DirectorClean Seed

Randy Minhas is a Chartered Professional Accountant with extensive finance experience in the technology, manufacturing and resources industries. For the past five years, he has worked as a finance and accounting consultant with public companies of all kinds ranging from going public venture to revenue generating, including developing the accounting and finance processes for a TSX NYSE dual listed company as it grew to become a revenue producing entity.

As a consultant he was active with all finance roles including forecasting, business development, development of internal controls and complete financial reporting services. During that time, he worked closely with the Chief Financial Officer and Board of Directors of two public companies as they initiated and completed significant acquisitions while concurrently raising $200 million dollars.

INTERESTED IN JOININGOUR TEAM?

At Clean Seed Capital we realize that good people are the key to our success and we are always interested in hearing from high-energy and qualified individuals for our international and internal team.